How do I borrow and return books from the library?

Borrowing Books

University students and staff are entitled to borrow up to 30 items.

Once you have found a book that you wish to borrow from the Library, take the book to Level 2 and use one of the Self-Issue machines available to the right of the Reader Services desk to issue the book onto your library account. 

You will need to scan your Library Card on the Self-issue machine before you can borrow a book, so please ensure you have this with you.

If you are unsure about using the Self-Issue machines, please view this video guide: How to Self-Issue library books

Returning Books

To return a book you have borrowed from the Library, post it though the slots on the wall to the right of the Reader Services desk. These will be scanned by a member of staff during working hours, which will remove the loans from your library account.

Books can also be returned via the drop-box in the Virgil Building in the city centre. Books returned here are delivered back up to the main campus where they are scanned by a member of staff and will be removed from your borrower account. Please be aware this can take several days.

If you are away from Bath and need to return a book to the Library, please contact the library at: library@bath.ac.uk for advice on how to do so.

Loan Period

The Library operates an automatic renewals policy for most loanable items in stock. When you borrow a library loan item, it will be due for return OR renewal of the loan in 7-days. The Self-Issue machines and your borrower account information will show this due date at the point of issue.

On the due date, the Library will attempt to automatically renew your loan for another 7-days. If this is successful, you do not need to do anything to extend the loan period yourself.

You will receive an email advising you that the item is due for return to the Library when it cannot be renewed. You should always try to return the loan item as soon as possible in response to these messages. 

Loans cannot be renewed when:

• another borrower has placed a request for a book
• you have had the book for 12 months already, it will need to be checked by Library staff to renew the loan
• your library membership has expired (as shown on the date printed on your library card)

Reservations

The catalogue will show if a copy of the book you want is available or on loan. You can only request (reserve) items that are on loan. Check out the Borrowing from the University Library page for more information on how to proceed.